External Filter

[Maxta]

I may opt for an external filter for my 10 gallon tank, more space in the tank and less water disturbance, along with the fact that theyre much more effective plus i can use it in future for any other bigger tanks i get.

Would there be any problem with this, seeing as my tank is small?

What would you recommend? I dont want something thats expensive. However i do want one that has a spray bar or can be bought and added on.

Recommendations please.

I was looking at the fluval 105, but doesnt have a spray bar. Tetratec EX600 looks very neat and comes with spray bar, but states for aquariums 60-120 litres. Mines only 35L

I know nothing about external filters so recommend me one please.

PS. MUST BE SILENT!!!!!!

 

[Miss Wiggle]

an external for a 10g tank, hmmmm

have you considered a HOB or trickle system, as that would be outside of the tank and perfectly effective for that size of tank?

 

[Maxta]

Never heard of them, and cant find them on ebay, so looks like theyd be a ***** to get.

Would the external filters i mentioned above be too powerful for my tank?

Was just thinking of investing in one for future when i get a larger tank, plus theyre easier to maintain and take up less room in the tank.

 

[mlawson]

I may opt for an external filter for my 10 gallon tank, more space in the tank and less water disturbance, along with the fact that theyre much more effective plus i can use it in future for any other bigger tanks i get.

Would there be any problem with this, seeing as my tank is small?

What would you recommend? I dont want something thats expensive. However i do want one that has a spray bar or can be bought and added on.

Recommendations please.

I was looking at the fluval 105, but doesnt have a spray bar. Tetratec EX600 looks very neat and comes with spray bar, but states for aquariums 60-120 litres. Mines only 35L

I know nothing about external filters so recommend me one please.

PS. MUST BE SILENT!!!!!!

I have the TetraTec Ex600 and its a top class filter. I noticed visibly clearer water in one day when I upgraded my Juwel, the fish seemed more active too. They have a good selection of filter media and don't get clogged easily, a friend has used Ehiems but he said Tetratecs were better. One great thing is I have it in my room and it's completely silent. Shortly after I got this I bought the EX700 and that's great too. It also comes with a spraybar which you can change to suit your tank size. If I were you I would get it for your 10 gallon, this way you could have a high fish stocking, and make sure the flow rate is not too strong, you can adjust it.

I got both my Ex600 and Ex700 from Zoo-plus a Germaned based company, I found the stuff to be cheaper then most websites and the service was excelent. Look at some of the reviews (including mine) they are very good filters.

I strongly recommend the Tetratecs.

Mike

 

[Teelie]

HOBs are hang on the back filters and some are quite noisy but there are some which are very quiet now. HOBs are probably the most common filters you'll find these days. Look for a Marineland or Pengiun as those are generally the best IMO.

 

[Jazzyc]

I have just bought a EX700 from www.reefkeeper.co.uk for £64.... On the basis of so many good reports on this forum about this filter... I currently have a Fluval 4+ that I wil take out after the new one has settles in.

 

[rdd1952]

Eheims are generally considered the best externals. I've got 2 Fluval 304s on my 75 gallon tank and they have done great (2yrs old) so far but most people say they aren't reliable. You may not be able to find one for a 10 gallon tank that doesn't produce too much current. I definitely don' think your betta would like a large current. Most of them prefer a relatively calm tank.

 

[Amerce]

Got an Eheim 2213 and it is lovely and quiet now it has settled in, runs really well and nice and small, with a spray bar and all the kit. Got it off Ebay.

 

[Maxta]

Eheims are generally considered the best externals. I've got 2 Fluval 304s on my 75 gallon tank and they have done great (2yrs old) so far but most people say they aren't reliable. You may not be able to find one for a 10 gallon tank that doesn't produce too much current. I definitely don' think your betta would like a large current. Most of them prefer a relatively calm tank.

Yeah, sigh Thats why i said itd have to be with a spray bar. Guess il just have to hold out for a bigger tank

 

[Maxta]

Question RDD.

What if i got one of these external filters with spray bar. Cut it down to size to go on the side of my aquarium here (red line on the right):

And turned the spraybar so that the holes are pointing towards the glass and down into the corner. Would that cut the current down? Or even placing against the back panel. Or would it make no difference.

 

[for_my_fish]

you can also drill more holes into the spraybar, this will reduce the jet loads. Or (you can with a tetratec so think you can with others) just buy extra spraybar sections. The lngth of the tank is much greater than the width, so maybe you could put the spraybar along the back of the tank?

 

[three-fingers]

There are external filters specifically for small tanks, and they come with a spray bar too.
eBay link.
I have a cheap clone of that filter made by resun and its very good, not silent, but no louder than any of the large externals mentioned here .

 

[Maxta]

Hmmm interesting.

Any pix, dont see a close up of the kit. Also the tubes would need to be at least a metre long.

Edit: found some pix, tubes dont look long enough.

 

[beesnees]

think you would be better with an internal on a 10g
on my 15g i had a fluval 2 but i purchaced a ehiem 2213 of a friend with a spray bar andhat really creates some current on a 15g just IMO

 

[ahkiu]

another vote for the tetratec cannister, they are a very good price and are virtually silent. I have my ex700 in my bedroom tank and i can't hear it running.
About the capacity for a small tank. There are taps to the inlet and outlet pipes so you can adjust the flow rate if it proves to be too fast for your tank.